my friend has herpes of the oral variety, does he have to tell every girl he gets with?

Answer 1

Herpes is so common, it's ridiculous. If you have had sex with more than a few people and kissed at least that many, most likely you've already come in contact with herpes - if you don't already have it yourself. Herpes is so common, most health care providers don't test for it on routine paps or STD screens unless asked. Most of the people who test positive will have no outward symptoms as herpes is a virus that lies dormant and asymptomatic for long periods and reoccurs with a change in the immune system, stress, lack of sleep, illness, pH imbalance or any number of factors.

Some shocking facts from the link below: "Somewhere between 20 and 25% of the population get their herpes sores below the waist and somewhere between 50 and 80% of the population gets their herpes sores above the waist. If you factor in the number of people who have both herpes 1 and 2 at the same time, you are left understanding that at least 60% of the population has herpes simplex.

Quote from: http://www.herpesdoctor.com/node/563

If he currently has a cold sore, absolutely don't kiss anyone. And certainly no oral sex. However, if he has not had a cold sore for years and years, I don't see any reason to tell everyone he kisses on the first date that he is "infected with herpes" - that would be a big mood killer, wouldn't it? It would be more effective to say in casual conversation, "I sometimes get those stupid cold sores when I get sick or stressed out - have you ever had any?" to bring it up in a non-threatening manner.

Answer 2

Your "friend" needs to have a better understanding about oral herpes. As far as I know, there are 2 types of herpes, simplex 1 and simplex 2. 1 is the type people typically get on their mouth, while 2 is the genital variety. Both types can exist in either location. Herpes is a virus, which means that it stays in your body forever and there is no cure for it. Outbreaks can be severe, and especially in the genitals- painful. There is medicine that you can take to reduce the severity and the frequency of the outbreaks. Herpes is most contagious right before the sore actually erupts. Thats called a prodrome. It's when you have a tingly feeling and start developing a bump. When someone is in that stage- they should not kiss or perform oral sex on another person, because they could spread the herpes to the other person. Once the sore starts to heal, it is less contagious- but still can transmit hewrpes to another person. And having an open sore makes it much easier for you to get an STD, or even HIV.

Your friend can decide to tell the girls he is with or not. I think it is a personal choice. He should be very aware of when he can infect another person though, and do everything possible not to give them this infection.

Having herpes does not make your friend dirty, and hopefully the girls he tell about his infection will be supportive and understanding of him. It is pretty brave to share that sort of info with anyone- and your friend deserve a lot of recognition for dealing with this situation in a mature, safe way.

Answer 3

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus types can cause sores around the mouth (herpes labialis) and on the genitals (genital herpes). Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sores sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 weeks.
The herpes simplex virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or touches infected fluid—such as from sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing an infected person, or touching that person's saliva. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child in this way. Cold sores can also be spread to other areas of the body.
Luckly there is a cure for herpes https://tr.im/a4f84

Answer 4

Genital herpes cannot be cured. Once infected, the virus stays in the body for the rest of the individual's life.
Research suggests that the virus can be transmitted even when there are no symptoms present, so that a sexual partner without obvious genital herpes sores may still transmit the illness. In fact, asymptomatic spread may actually contribute more to the spread of genital herpes than do active sores.
Individuals with known genital herpes, but without current symptoms, should inform their partner that they have the disease. This precaution allows both parties to use barrier protection (to prevent the spread of the illness)
Please see the web pages for more details on Genital Herpes and Herpes simplex virus.

Answer 5

Cold sores are highly contagious, however if you do not have any cracks or sores at the time of being intimate with a girl, then it is not an issue.
PS - Oral herpes sounds a lot worse than "Cold sores" - so for your friends sake, please refer to them as the latter in future.

Answer 6

I am assuming you are referring to cold sores. The following advise is only if your friend has cold sores on their mouth:

No. "your friend" aka you probably has HSV 1. Which is extremely common in humans. HSV 2 is the one you don't want. That is genital herpes and the one you really don't want. Cold sores are very common. If you have reoccurring HSV1 then you need to be careful and not kiss someone down below. HSV1 can transmit to HSV2. Just remember anything above the waist is HSV 1 anything below the waist is HSV 2.

I wouldn't tell the girls about it. It's so common even they probably have it. I almost thing the number is around 90 percent have HSV 1.

Answer 7

that's called a cold sore. If you've had one, you too have herpes of the oral variety.

Answer 8

As far as I know the oral herpes virus is different to the genital one. My husband suffers from "cold sores" which is not curable and in 18 yrs together I haven't caught either virus from him.

Answer 9

yes, he must be extremely careful if going down on anyone as can pass on the virus, its the same one for the mouth as the genitals, and when its on the genitals its serious....if he ever has any inkling of another erruption of the herpes, he must steer well clear of women orally

Answer 10

Because it is an infectious disease and it spreads easily, so he should tell whatever girl he "gets" with out of consideration for her health and well-being. It's not rocket science. Bet he wishes someone had told him before passing it on to him...